When Jeanie Buss hired JJ Redick as the new head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, she knew he’d face challenges. But she never expected him to lose everything before he even had a chance to prove himself.
Shifting his life from Brooklyn was already a major sacrifice. His wife left her career, his kids left their school, and the family took a leap of faith on a fresh start in LA. But just when they thought they were settling in, disaster struck in the most brutal way possible.
For most people, it would’ve been a sign to walk away. Instead, what Redick and his family did next proved exactly why Buss believed he was the right man for this job.
“He had to move his family from Brooklyn, and his wife and two young kids. I’m not sure they were really excited about moving because he took the job,” Buss explained.
Redick’s children were already in school, and uprooting them meant leaving behind friends and a familiar life. It was a major adjustment—but then, just as they were settling in a major life move, disaster struck again. “So they rent a house, and [then] lost it in the fires,” Buss said.
For her, the biggest concern wasn’t just Redick—it was his wife, Chelsea. She had to leave her job as a real estate agent in New York. In addition to leaving all her friends and colleagues behind, the Redick family lost their house in the California wildfires. Now, this might have been the push that Jeanie was afraid of.
Buss had seen firsthand how personal challenges could test a coach’s commitment. Phil Jackson, her ex-fiancé and former Lakers coach, faced his own battles off the court, including significant health issues. Yet, even as he dealt with those struggles, he remained committed to coaching and still wanted to return for another season. Having witnessed that kind of resilience up close, Buss understood how much personal hardships could weigh on a coach—and how crucial a strong support system was.
That’s why, when Redick’s family faced back-to-back upheavals, Buss was concerned about more than just basketball. “I was worried that his wife was going to say, ‘Okay, I’m out, I’m done, this was not meant to be,’” she admitted.
Sep 25, 2024; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick at press conference at UCLA Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
What happened next was what truly impressed Buss. Instead of treating the wildfire as a sign to leave Los Angeles, the Redick family made a firm decision: they were staying. “But instead, it’s like they realize, you know, they want to be part of rebuilding the community,” Buss said.
Despite losing their home and nearly all of their belongings, the Redicks embraced their place within the Lakers family. They didn’t retreat or question the move—instead, they leaned into their new home even harder.
For Buss, this moment reinforced everything she already knew about Redick. He wasn’t just a great basketball mind; he was someone who could lead through adversity.
The Lakers’ Close-Knit Culture in Difficult Times
Buss has always emphasized how the Lakers operate like a family. Through championship wins and struggles alike, she’s been at the center of fostering a tight-knit culture. “We’re a particularly close team,” she said. “And I think some of the things that we’ve gone through the last few seasons, especially most recently, the fires in LA, have put the friendships in an even more meaningful way.“
This wasn’t just a basketball organization—it was a support system. And in a moment of crisis, the Lakers rallied behind their new coach. Through all of this, Buss has seen Redick handle a situation no new coach should have to face. Yet he remained steady, focused, and fully committed.
That only reassured Buss that she had made the right hire.
Nov 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers President Jeanie Buss before the game against the Chicago Bulls at Staples Center. Bulls won 118-110. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
“I do a lot of different things,” Buss said, reflecting on her responsibilities as the Lakers’ President. “It is about putting out fires when things go wrong, and there’s always something that goes wrong.“
Redick’s first months in LA may not have gone as planned, but one thing is clear: he isn’t going anywhere. And for Jeanie Buss, that kind of resilience is exactly why he’s the right person to lead the Lakers.
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